Chapter 492: The Desire to Break Cao Gong Calls for a Fire Attack

Because the matter was of great importance, Li Lan had to summon his trusted staff and the officials handling concrete affairs to discuss how to deal with the mysterious Fang Chongyong and his Yinqiang Xiaojie Army.

In addition to trusted aides Wei Zichun, Li Bai, Xue Liu, Li Taiqing, Liu Julin, Cai Jiong, the officer Dou Shao who handles prefectural matters, and Li Xian who trains the troops, also attended.

These two were originally placed by Ji Ge beside Li Lan as eyes to monitor his every move. Yet Ji Ge fled to Hedong, allowing Li Chang to seize the throne. Dou Shao and Li Xian lost their backing, became outsiders, and were constantly shunned.

If it weren't for a bit of ability, they would have long been dismissed by Li Lan.

Everyone gathered in Prince Yong's study; Li Lan did not hold back and directly had Li Bai recount the whole affair publicly.

Not everyone, like Li Bai, has a mind full of romance; these people pay more attention to shifting loyalties, the changing situation, and even Li Lan's own complicated thoughts.

Fang Chongyong's moving troops eastward is no secret, but Li Bai still brought two new pieces of information this time.

First, Fang Chongyong is considering an attack on Hebei; whether that's madness or not, at least it does no harm to Prince Yong Li Lan.

Second, Fang Chongyong is not a staunch member of the Li Chang faction; should Li Chang's hold on the throne waver, he could switch sides at any time.

In other words, the military pressure Li Lan currently faces may not be as great as imagined.

Now that's interesting!

"Your Highness, Fang Chongyong changed his name to Fang Qing, truly a renaming to declare his aspirations.

In the past he was loyal to the sage; the name change carries the meaning of cutting ties, so supporting a certain prince is understandable.

Now Li Taibai is negotiating with him; Fang Qing's attitude is humble and his actions cautious. It is clear he is also seeking a prince as a patron.

With the strength of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, a surprise raid on Qi Prefecture would be no trouble; if they intended to strike, they would have already done so.

I, the humble servant, think Fang Qing does not intend to act.

Your Highness might lend him Lu County to use; if he returns it later, you could further win him over, ideally bringing him and the six prefectures of Xuanwu Town under your control.

If Fang Qing attempts a Liu Bei‑style borrowing of Jingzhou, Lu County is an exclave, isolated in Jizhou, far from Bianzhou, and hard to hold. Then he would face Huangfu Weiming's rebel army to the north and have to guard against us on the east.

In such a perilous situation, how could Fang Qing endure?

What Li Taibai says now is likely true; Your Highness need not doubt it."

Wei Zichun rose, crossed his arms, and saluted Li Lan, clearly defending Li Bai and supporting cooperation with Fang Chongyong.

Li Bai was his recommendation; this matter is heavily tied to Li Bai. In other words, it is also heavily tied to Wei Zichun himself.

He will, by all means, give Li Bai his full backing and champion him.

This is the unwritten rule in Tang court politics: once an official errs, the one who recommended him will also be punished or isolated by peers.

In other words, when the principal gets into trouble, the recommender must desperately champion them, helping wherever possible. Helping others is helping oneself.

This is both mutual official protection and the workings of human relations.

Wei Zichun, as the "chief" of Li Lan's staff, carries weight in his words. When he voiced support for Li Bai, the tone in the study immediately shifted toward cooperating with the Xuanwu forces.

However, Liu Julin, who is versed in military affairs, held a different view.

He rose, bowed to Li Lan and said, "Your Highness, if the matter is truly as Li Taibai says, there is nothing more to say. Yet hearts are hidden beneath the belly; who knows whether Fang Qing has already colluded with Huangfu Weiming, and now intends to confront Your Highness? Saying pretty words costs nothing."

Liu Julin, fearing others might not believe him, pointed at Li Bai and said, "Li Taibai's words are merely one side of the story. As for that private jade pendant, one could simply purchase dozens in any county and keep them close; what does that prove? If the Xuanwu troops were to storm Licheng, Li Taibai's death would be no loss, but how would Your Highness then fare?"

Upon hearing this, the people in the study wore varied expressions—some smiled silently, some fell into thought, others merely looked at Li Bai, their eyes seeming laden with meaning.

Only Li Bai, the principal, flushed red, feeling a great humiliation!

"Your Highness, I will gamble my life with Liu Julin!

If Fang Qing makes any illicit move, I am willing to slit my throat in atonement!

But if all goes smoothly and Fang Qing returns Lu County's troops to Bianzhou, then I ask Liu Julin also to slit his throat in atonement!"

Li Bai rose, pointed at Liu Julin and scolded loudly.

What a spectacle!

Everyone in the study looked at Li Bai; they all knew Li Bai had been a wandering knight in his youth, so such words were not surprising.

But that does not mean they respect Li Bai.

Because the tide of this matter is obvious, Gao Shang is not present here!

Why is Gao Shang absent?

Because his left arm was cut off years ago by Fang Chongyong, now Fang Qing.

He would never agree to cooperate with the Xuanwu forces.

Li Lan's refusal to let Gao Shang attend already made his stance clear.

That is also why Wei Zichun dares to champion Li Bai; he understands hearts better than Li Bai and sees through Li Lan.

Thus, even if Wei Zichun does not step forward, others will.

Li Bai is the most foolish among them.

Regarding Liu Julin's provocation, Li Bai truly does not need to get so worked up and step out to gamble his life with the other side. He can remain silent, and naturally someone will step forward to rebuke Liu Julin.

Sure enough, Li Xian, who handles military affairs under Li Lan, stepped forward, crossed his arms, and saluted Prince Yong Li Lan, saying:

"Your Highness, given the current situation, we should not wage war against the Xuanwu forces. Fang Qing's stance is unclear, yet he has not deployed troops against us, so he can indeed be courted. It is only Lu County; lending it to him is no problem.

As for future matters, we can discuss them later.

Liu Julin has ulterior motives in this matter; Your Highness, do not be deceived by him."

Li Xian's words are no longer mere slander, but the use of advanced Yin‑Yang technique to cause mischief.

What ulterior motives does Liu Julin have?

Li Xian simply refuses to clarify, employing a 'fabricated' routine. As for why he says this, it is simple: Liu Julin once served as an inspector, is well‑versed in military affairs, and has long coveted Li Xian's position; previously, as Li Lan's trusted aide, he caused Li Xian many troubles.

You are at the first level, I am at the fifteenth; when I see you err, I step out to push you into the well, no wonder it's not surprising, right?

"Enough, no need to argue."

Prince Yong Li Lan waved his hand impatiently, and the study fell silent at once.

"Then, Li Xian shall lead five hundred troops to Lu County to negotiate with Fang Qing's Yinqiang Xiaojie Army; nothing more needs to be said."

Li Lan waved his hand broadly, unwilling to hesitate further.

After winter begins, the surface of the Yellow River freezes, and many crossing points become usable only after winter.

The Hebei rebel army will certainly march south in force at that time, opening many points; this can be judged with almost no military knowledge.

Who dares say Huangfu Weiming wouldn't make a "detour"?

Li Lin is also very nervous about this!

Since Fang Chongyong is now willing to strike through Hebei, regardless of the battle's outcome, it will give Huangfu Weiming a headache for a while and make Li Lin's winter this year more comfortable.

The enemy of my enemy is a friend!

So ceding Lu County for Fang Chongyong to use is a help we can still offer.

Often, when the lord asks his staff for opinions, it's not because he doesn't know what to choose, but because he wants his subordinates to give a reason that "convinces" him, strengthening his resolve.

Li Xian hurriedly crossed his arms and saluted.

Liu Julin was now embarrassed; he said that hoping to use it to propose a "military expansion" suggestion, after which the newly trained troops would likely fall under his command, granting him command authority. Seeing the world grow more chaotic, having no troops truly kept him awake at night.

Liu Julin didn't think he had done anything wrong at all.

Unexpectedly, Li Lin directly agreed with Li Bai's suggestion, instantly putting Liu Julin on the hot seat.

Liu Julin looked at Li Xian with some irritation, but the latter turned his head away, acting as if nothing were wrong, refusing to meet his gaze.

……

In the north, the harvest season usually falls after the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, about a month earlier than the south. Henan and Hebei are both in the north, but their climates differ slightly, with Hebei's harvest occurring even earlier.

Lately, Huangfu Weiming has been busy arranging the autumn harvest, granting the united troops leave to return home and farm, because the busiest period of the year is about to arrive.

Wei Jian's arrival strengthened the Hebei rebel army's logistics and internal affairs, also stabilizing Hebei's populace.

Now the world situation is gradually chaotic, the chance to grab chestnuts from the fire is hopeful yet unattainable, so one can only patiently await changes. Therefore developing production, strengthening the military, and replenishing the treasury are all necessary tasks.

Huangfu Weiming also gradually abandoned the fantasy of swallowing a big fat man, planning to build up strength this year and within three to five years seize the throne of Chang'an, advancing steadily.

He can wait, and Prince Rong Li Wan can also wait.

Simply put, Huangfu Weiming hopes that Ji Ge dies of old age or illness; after that, Prince Rong Li Wan's legitimacy will be greatly strengthened. Once the military holds superiority, "washing clean and landing" becomes easy.

Early that morning, Huangfu Weiming received a secret report stating that the Xuanwu Army entered Yunzhou on the south bank of the Yellow River, seized Liangshan north of Dayeze, and built a camp there, with unclear intentions.

Scouts reported it to the military commander Wu Lingxun, who guarded Bozhou's Liaocheng; Wu Lingxun promptly sent someone to inform Huangfu Weiming.

"What is the Xuanwu Army doing in Yunzhou?"

Huangfu Weiming felt baffled, but recalling the "final ultimatum" previously issued by Fang Chongyong, he seemed to grasp this person's intention.

It's aimed at Prince Yong Li Lin, intending to swallow Yunzhou, Jizhou, and Qizhou.

However, he was uncertain, so he immediately sent someone to Liyang, summoning the "frontline commander" Li Guiren to Ye City, where the two secretly discussed major matters.

In his own study, Huangfu Weiming spread a somewhat vague map on the desk and marked the prefectural seat Yuncheng of Yunzhou. North of Yuncheng, near Dayeze, he wrote the characters "Liangshan."

The place is tiny, merely a small market town formed around a ferry where merchants gather; only maps drawn by professionals at the Tang state level would note it. Huangfu Weiming was just being cursory, enough for Li Guiren to understand.

"Fang Qing seems set to attack Jizhou and Qizhou; as for Yunzhou, there are few troops, so it can be left unmentioned."

Huangfu Weiming pointed at Liangshan on the map and said.

This location can serve as a forward base for conquering Jizhou and Qizhou. Supplies shipped from Bianzhou can be piled directly at Liangshan's ferry for the troops. This supply route is extremely cheap, far cheaper than oxen or horse transport.

"The Xuanwu Army's move doesn't seem like a joke."

Li Guiren, upon seeing the map, immediately understood that Fang Chongyong is very adept at employing troops; the chosen route fully secures logistics and retreat, leaving no room for Li Lin's counterattack.

Marching along the Ji River all the way is very comfortable.

This move can be called a guaranteed success!

Of course, the troops under Li Lin could also garrison at Liangshan and then follow this waterway to attack Fang Chongyong! Why doesn't he?

The reason is simple: they simply can't win.

"Fang Qing issued a proclamation, demanding that Prince Yong Li Lin submit to Li Chang. But so far Li Lin has not responded; he only dispatched troops to garrison Dong'a, preparing for the Xuanwu Army's eastward advance.

The battle seems about to erupt."

Huangfu Weiming continued to explain.

Because reconnaissance on the north bank of the Yellow River is extremely risky, the Hebei rebel army's scouts could only uncover this much, with no further details.

Though the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army is still quite far from Licheng, Licheng also lies on the Ji River bank. If Fang Chongyong leads a surprise attack on Licheng, he could reach the city walls within a day and a night!

This is "stay still, act like thunder!" It doesn't bother playing the slow game with Li Lin of "occupying a mile today, seizing a city tomorrow."

Li Guiren nodded slightly, roughly understanding why Huangfu Weiming had summoned him.

If it were only to guard against Fang Chongyong crossing the river, then simply moving troops to Bozhou on the north bank of the Yellow River and deploying defenses around Bozhou would suffice; there was no need to call him over.

Huangfu Weiming summoned this "frontline commander" back to Ye City essentially to ask: while the Xuanwu Army's main force advances east, should we launch a full southern campaign early and strike Bianzhou ahead of schedule?

According to the established plan, after winter the Yellow River freezes, and the Hebei rebel army's logistics are ready! At that point, Li Guiren, as commander, will handle all matters of the hundred‑thousand‑strong army marching south into Henan.

Moreover, they have already deployed at Liyang, using it as the main garrison for the large force; from Liyang they will cross the river and charge straight at Bianzhou!

Other troops will launch separate attacks along various points of the Yellow River, converging for a coordinated strike!

Wherever the Xuanwu garrison is weak, they will strike there; if a defending force cannot be overcome, they will gather other troops to encircle and nail them down!

This upright strategy is a mountain‑top pressure; when the time comes, even if Fang Chongyong has a thousand skills, it will only cause the Hebei rebel army a slight loss, and they will ultimately fail to hold Bianzhou, forced to retreat to the water‑webbed Bozhou!

"Commander, we are fully prepared this time; it's unwise to act rashly. Why not wait another month?"

"Once the river freezes, even Han Xin Fusheng cannot stop us."

Li Guiren urged.

The opportunity is indeed great, but we must not lose the big picture over a small gain!

Because Bianzhou's waterways are well developed, the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, even if they reach Yunzhou or Jizhou, can easily return by water for defense!

The waterway can start at five hundred li per day!

Returning to defend Bianzhou downstream is eight to nine hundred li a day!

Li Guiren does not think an early strike is a good idea.

At this time the Yellow River had not yet frozen; after reaching Henan, the Hebei rebels' supply line also became a serious problem.

"You're right; we should press on and resolve the Henan provinces in one go; now we cannot stir up the enemy prematurely."

Huangfu Weiming inhaled deeply, gave a slight nod, and said.

Their plan had already entered its latter stage and truly could not be halted. If they deployed troops early, all the prior preparations would be wasted, and a minor defeat would render this wave of preparation futile.

But as long as they drag it into winter, they can maneuver freely throughout Henan! Heaven, earth, and people all favor them.

War has a rhythm; troops should be used according to one's own tempo as much as possible.

"Thank you for your effort; go to Liyang to organize the troops. The grain and fodder have been largely transferred; once the soldiers of the united army finish the autumn harvest and return to their units, it will be time for us to sweep across the Henan circuit."

Then we can also conveniently deal with Prince Yong.

As for the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, Fang Qing, and Xuanwu Town.

Huangfu Weiming resisted the temptation to cut off the rear route, resolved to stick to the established plan and, when the time comes, achieve victory in a single battle!

After subduing the various prefectures of the Henan circuit, a southward advance can expand to the Two Huai, amassing abundant wealth, resources, and manpower; a westward push can attack Luoyang from two directions, securing a capital of great political significance.

By then the realm will not be completely pacified, but at least half will be settled. The trend will be set, and surely many will submit and attach themselves.

Then we can force the emperor in Chang'an to abdicate, and, logically, march on Chang'an; what else could fail to be accomplished?

After Li Guiren left, Huangfu Weiming clenched his fists, silently warning himself that a small lack of patience would ruin the grand scheme; he must endure!

A hundred acts of patience can become gold!